//------------------------------// // The Star-Skimmer // Story: Like Clockwork // by Harris //------------------------------// Ah... June 16th was a great day, not that I knew that at the time, Celestia no, I was terrified, thought it'd be horrable! Thinking back, I was probably more scared than it was scary when I saw Applejack walk up that path but however scared I was I was also so proud, with my suit, waistcoat and father's pocket watch. I looked at Applejack and what she was wearing and it wasn't a suit which was smart considering the work that we'd soon get to doing. "Good luck, son..." was the last thing my father said too me as I left, it was what I really needed at the time. When Applejack saw me she tilted her head slightly and smiled me, I don't really think that she was kindly smiling at me I think she was really suppressing a laugh at the suit that I was wearing and probably thinking; This idiot knows that he'll be doing things in this line of work, right? And I did, I did but I'd look Damn well doing it. No... I took it off first chance I got, It was very... Tight in places. "Ya ready, sugarcube?" She asked, getting head-height with me, "Yeah, I hope" I replied under my breath, nodding nonetheless. She put her hoof on my shoulder and walked off with me, We reached the top of the hill and I took one last look at my home, my home. I didn't know what to do, I'd never left my home for more than a couple of miles of the farm and now, how far was I gonna go? Applejack and I didn't engage in much conversation and it would be awkward but the walk was, normal of Equestria, it was a beautiful landscape and it took my breath away, Applejack had seen it all before so I'm sure she wasn't impressed, but anything could have been going on in her head and she always had a kind smile. "Ah know that getting a job is a big move for ya..." Applejack started, "But it won't be that bad, y'all get paid well..." "Yeah..." I replied At the time or at all, really, I didn't and couldn't find the words for it but it was a real nice gesture. We reached the summit of a hill that we were climbing and took in the view that we'd conquered and there, reaching from above the forestry was a great airship and it was amazing... "There's the star-skimmer, our home." Applejack announced, "our?" I asked "There's five others" she explained, "There's a Unicorn named Twilight Sparkle, The Navigator. She handles the charts and plotting our course," "Then there's an Earth-Pony, Pinkie Pie. She handles the cannons and arms," "There's also Rainbow Dash, our sniper and scout, we also have Flutter Shy, our Engineer and Helms-Mare" "Finally, There's Rarity, Our stores-mare and cook" She finished. "And you are?" I asked "Ah am Shipmaster, a Captain if you will." She said, slightly matter-of-factly but her accent made it sounded more like a joke. "And what'll I be doing on the... Erm, Star-Skimmer?" I asked "Meh, This and that, just do as you're told and you'll be fine..."